What is the purpose of a pharmacy's drug utilization review (DUR)?

The primary purpose of a pharmacy's drug utilization review (DUR) is to evaluate prescribed medications for appropriateness. This process involves assessing a patient's medication regimen to ensure that medications are being used safely, effectively, and at the correct dosage. The DUR helps to identify potential drug interactions, contraindications, or duplications in therapy, thereby promoting the well-being of the patient and optimizing therapeutic outcomes. This evaluation is crucial for enhancing patient safety and ensuring the most effective treatment plans are in place.

Auditing pharmacy inventory, managing pharmacist schedules, and conducting patient counseling, while important, do not directly relate to the objectives of a DUR. These activities focus on operational aspects of pharmacy practice rather than the clinical assessment of medication use, which is the core intention of a drug utilization review.